Parents still want Y after-hours for post-prom

UWCHLAN — Parents from both Downingtown high schools remains determined to try to secure the Lionville YMCA as the post-prom event location for their students.

“We’re still pursuing the YMCA and hope that the supervisors will think about the kids and that this is where the kids want their post-prom,” said Carolyn Ganzelli, co-organizer of Downingtown High School East’s Post-Prom Committee, denying earlier statements that the groups were abandoning their attempt. “I’m doing everything they want.”

Supervisors agreed to review the matter. However, they want input from residents in the area before they decide.

A conditional use provision in the township’s zoning ordinances states that the YMCA must be closed by 10 p.m., unless the supervisors grant an exception.

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According to Supervisor Joseph Toner, that condition was made because the facility is located in a residential area, and no exceptions have been granted since the ordinance was established 17 years ago.

On Feb. 11, during the township’s supervisors’ meeting, parents and administrators of Downingtown High Schools East and West campuses presented to the supervisors their attempt to host this year’s post-prom event at the Lionville Community YMCA in Exton.

During the meeting on Monday evening, supervisors expressed concerns over noise pollution and other disturbances to the nearby residents that might be created by the event, as well about issues of transportation, capacity, and security.

“I know we keep saying the kids are paramount, but so is the community,” said Toner at the meeting. “You’ve got to talk about the neighbors first.”

Toner requested that residents on Horne Place, Woodview Drive, Arianna Lane, Robin Road, North Whitford Road, Devon Drive, Reber Circle, Edgewood Drive, Oakland Drive, and Balderston Drive, be surveyed in order to determine whether or not they would be amenable to the event and possible noise pollution.

“It’s a shame that the YMCA can’t do their job, that they’re restricted by the township,” said Gina Ferron, who works on the post-prom committee for Downingtown High School West.

According to Ganzelli, committees from both Downingtown High School East and West began securing and planning the event in July. Ganzelli presented the board with information during the meeting about shuttles for students from the high schools to the YMCA.

According to Ganzelli, students were asked what would generate more attendance in the post-prom, which has been held at school facilities for the past eight years. The strongest reply was for an area with a pool, which led to Downingtown Area School Board Member Barbara Hurt-Simmons’ suggestion and the committees’ combined proposal to request the use of the YMCA facilities. The committees from both schools decided to coordinate their events in order to save money, and received approval from the YMCA’s board.

According to Downingtown West Principal Tom Mulvey, last year’s attendance at post-prom was 250 students out of about 850 students that attended their prom.

Ganzelli said that Downingtown East’s post-prom hosted about 350 of those who went to their own prom.

Township supervisors are expected to make a decision at a board meeting next month. Ganzelli said that she hopes to receive a response from the supervisors before their next board meeting due to the time constraints.

“Ultimately if they say no, it has to go back to the high school, but I’m not giving up that it’s at the Y,” Ganzelli said.

About the Author

Sara Mosqueda-Fernandez os the Daily Local News' reporter that covers all things Downingtown and its local school district. A transplant to Chester County, she also keeps an eye on environmental issues in the area. Reach the author at smfernandez@dailylocal.com
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